Colorado Springs City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Colorado Springs City Council met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers. All nine members were present. The meeting covered a consent calendar of routine approvals, recognitions, mayoral appointments, a contentious debate over Colorado Springs Utilities' 2026 rate case with a focus on net metering, and a decision to remove the CPA requirement for the City Auditor position. The meeting adjourned at 12:08 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Final Passage: Ordinance No. 25-68 vacating 2.13 acres of public right-of-way at Holly Avenue and First Street. Ordinance No. 25-72 authorizing up to $76,832,222.72 in multifamily housing revenue bonds for the Bradley Ridge Apartments project. Ordinance No. 25-73 filling a vacancy on the Catalyst Campus Business Improvement District Board.
• First Reading / Approvals: Minutes of August 26, 2025; resolution declaring surplus property and authorizing disposal to James B. Klein; resolution authorizing eminent domain for Dublin Boulevard Improvements (7-Eleven property) and 8th Street Improvements; intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with CDOT for Spring Creek Tributary Outfall maintenance; ordinance certifying delinquent stormwater fees; ordinance vacating 0.09 acres at 1904 Glenn Street; ratification of councilmember liaison assignments.
• Vote: All consent items passed 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cliff Kotnik (during CSU rate case discussion) opposed the net metering changes, stating that the rushed process left solar customers without adequate time to understand the impact. He reported that his $900 annual savings would vanish and payback would extend to 42 years, and urged a more equitable approach.
• Lee Brooks (citizen discussion) requested city-funded after-school daycare and expressed concerns that AI and smartphones are harming children's education.
• Derek Shetrone raised concerns about Flock Security AI cameras in the city, arguing that third-party control of data threatens civil liberties and citing a $1.4 million false arrest lawsuit in Aurora. Councilmember Rainey noted the cameras are managed by Public Works, not police, and offered to discuss AI further.
• Multiple speakers (Will Starks, Tiny Smith, Craig Harvey, Jennifer Smith, Thomas Pantoja, Theresa Donnelly, Dustin Huth, Belinda Gardner, Dee Smith) representing One Body ENT, Men of Influence, Women of Impact, Concrete Couch, and K-Land Neighborhood Association highlighted positive community events: Juneteenth Festival, teen nights, mural projects, monthly cleanups, and a Levitt Foundation grant application for free concerts at Concrete Coyote Park. They thanked council for support and encouraged attendance. Councilmembers expressed appreciation and commitment.
• Steve Lightfoot spoke about a conspiracy theory regarding John Lennon's murder, criticized police response to vandalism, complained about potholes (especially on Highway 24 and Uinta Street), and alleged unfair termination from a downtown restaurant group.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of 9/11 (5.A): Councilmember Rainey read a resolution honoring September 11, 2025 as a Day of Remembrance. Councilmembers Donelson and Rainey reflected on sacrifices of first responders and military members. Mayor Mobolade praised the resolution. Adopted 9-0.
• City Council Appointments (5.B): Appointments made to Independent Ethics Commission (Deborah Center), Law Enforcement and Transparency Advisory Commission (Chris Burns, etc.), and LART Citizens Advisory Committee (Davis Tott). Approved 9-0.
• Mayor's Business – Aviation Director (6.A): Mayor Mobolade nominated Alexandru Kovacs as Director of Aviation, citing 16 years of experience and leadership. Councilmember Henjum presented a hot air balloon banner from the Labor Day Lift Off event. Kovacs took the oath of office. Confirmed 9-0.
• Housing Authority and Health Foundation Appointments (6.B-6.D): Daniel O'Rear appointed to the Colorado Springs Housing Authority (9-0). Jim Johnson reappointed to the Health Foundation (8-0-1, Councilmember Donelson absent). Mary Coleman reappointed (9-0).
• Mayor's Office Updates (6.E): Chief of Staff Jamie Fabos reported: continued advocacy with federal delegation on Space Command (no large population exodus expected); meeting with philanthropists on homelessness; State of the City on September 25; and Keep It Clean COS event results—52 tons of trash, 23 shopping carts, 37 tires, 7 propane tanks.
• Items Called Off Consent – Zoning Hearings (4B.G, 4B.I): First reading to set public hearings for September 23, 2025: rezoning 2402 N Nevada Ave (R-2 to MX-N) and modifying conditions for Beth-El Mennonite Church (9.93 acres). Councilmember Donelson pulled both for awareness. Both approved 9-0.
• CSU 2026 Rate Case Hearing Date (4B.J): A motion by Councilmember Henjum to postpone the hearing and send the net metering component back to the CSU Board failed 3-6 (Gold, Henjum, Williams in favor). A subsequent motion to set the public hearing for October 14, 2025 passed 7-2 (Gold and Henjum opposed). Councilmember Henjum argued that CSU rushed the proposal—solar customers had only 48 hours' notice before the board vote—and that it breached trust. Councilmember Donelson supported the case, stating CSU loses over $600 per net metering customer ($5.4 million total) and the change would not take effect until 2027. CSU CFO Tristan Gearhart emphasized the urgency due to transmission tariff filings for Southwest Power Pool entry. Councilmember Rainey urged CSU to host public meetings in each district.
• IGA with Arkansas River Power Authority (8.A): Approved 9-0 to allow ARPA to use CSU's supply chain for 10–15% savings on materials.
• CSU Employee Candidacy (8.B): Michael Ferguson granted consent to run for Ellicott School District 22 Board and waiver of termination if elected. Approved 9-0.
• City Auditor CPA Requirement (9.A): Ordinance No. 25-69 removed the requirement for the City Auditor to hold a Colorado CPA and substituted a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certificate within two years. Councilmember Gold moved to postpone to January 27, 2026 citing public outcry and process concerns; motion failed 4-5. After debate on trust and transparency, the ordinance passed 6-3 (Donelson, Rainey, Williams opposed). Councilmember Henjum acknowledged process failures but urged moving forward with oversight.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar and most routine items approved unanimously.
• 9/11 Day of Remembrance resolution adopted.
• Alexandru Kovacs confirmed as Director of Aviation.
• Public hearing for CSU 2026 Rate Case set for October 14, 2025 (7-2); net metering component to be decided at that hearing.
• IGA with Arkansas River Power Authority approved.
• City Auditor ordinance removing CPA requirement passed (6-3); Natalie Lovell must obtain CIA within two years.
• Citizen discussion period included community event announcements and concerns about AI cameras, after-school care, and potholes.